Happy Birthday, Mom

Today is my mother’s birthday.
I am thankful for my mother…
And...the older I get, the more I realize that she was not “Mommy Dearest” I thought her to be when I was younger. (After all—I am sure that it was a challenge raising such a strong-willed kid.)

I am 8,000 miles away from my mother today...

but I just wanted to wish her a

Happy Happy Birthday!

Prayer Request for Linda

The following is an excerpt from an email that I received from a dear friend. Linda is truly amazing—and her sense of humor and outlook in what many would consider dire circumstances are—to me—inspirational.

I have had my head examined many, many times in the past year. I still have that vascular glomus tumor in my right ear. It is attached to the carotid artery and so they cannot operate on it, too dangerous. I have done the radiation stuff and that is all that can be done. I am fine, though. I just have to wait and see if and when it gets to my brain. Last scan showed it pushing against the membrane, but who knows what it will do. I just go on and do my thing. I am too busy to worry about what is going on in my head. ANITA ASIDE: I laughed out loud when I read this line—maybe you have to know Linda—

All my kids are on their own, finally. I thought that I would finally get some peace and quiet.....then.....Lupe got cancer. That big 'C' keeps turning up. He's had a couple of surgeries and is pretty much staying with me so I can take care of him. He begins Chemo and radiation next week. Hopefully, he will be okay. NO, we are not back together. He just needs someone to look after him for awhile.

Please pray for Linda.

The new Travel Destination—Iraq!

During my Iraqi experience July 2004-January 2006, the conditions gradually deteriorated reaching the point where the only mode of travel allowed for civilians was military air.

However it appears that the tide has turned—the SURGE has worked—and Western tourists are again visiting Iraq.

For those adventurous spirits, contact Hinterland Travel, a “specialist adventure travel company” based in England. (Read the entire article here.)

I, on the other hand, have already visited—saw many interesting things—and may someday return (though not any time soon!).

In the picture, I am standing on a bluff overlooking the Tigris River in Tikrit, Iraq.

Si Señor

At 46-years-old, I am beginning to learn a new language (note I said BEGINNING—for I am not sure if I will actually “finish” i.e. become semi-fluent in speaking).

Those who know me know that I have been rather content in my mono-linguistic state. I have lived in three foreign countries and have had opportunity to travel to several more…and unbelievably just about everyone in service industries speaks English (after all it is the international language of business).

In those rare instances when I encounter someone who doesn’t speak English, after a few moments of me standing there dumbfounded, the person figures out that I am an Americano bobo and finds someone to translate.

~~An aside: Americo bobo is translated stupid American, and I first heard the term while hiking in Costa Rica. During this particular hike, I became stranded on a 15 foot cliff. A scrawny—approximately 5’1” and 110 pounds—yet extremely chivalrous Costa Rican man saw my dilemma and ran over to rescue me. He held up his arms coaxing me to jump from the cliff, into his arms, back to the main road. Okay, I am a big girl—5’7”—and at the time I was pushing 150 pounds. Thus it took me a moment or two to consider whether or not to jump. In the meantime, a group of about 15 Costa Rican kids gathered to watch and began dancing around, pointing at me, singing at the top of their lungs “Americano bobo! Americano bobo!” Of course all my friends, who had brilliantly decided to stay on the main road rather than follow what I perceived to be a shorter footpath, joined in the singing and pointing. The chorus of 20 made the decision for me—I had to stop the singing, so yes, I did jump…and yes, he “caught” me—though we both landed on our bottoms. And thus I earned the nickname BoBo for the remainder of the trip!~~

Sorry to digress—so why Spanish?—and why now?

No, it is not because of the influx of Mexican immigrants into the US. (Though I am sure that if I do learn to speak Spanish somewhat fluently it will benefit me greatly when I return to the US.)

Nor is it so I am able to communicate with the friend Lisa and I made while in Cozumel (he’s mute).
But rather, it is for the love of a child (actually two children)—to simply remove as many barriers as possible when I visit them. (I will be conversing with a 3-year-old and a 9-year-old, so hopefully they will not critique my Spanish speaking skills too harshly. *GRIN*)

Today, I purchased Rocket Spanish from the internet, this evening I will load it to my iPod—and we’ll see how much I am able to learn in 7 weeks.

I would appreciate your prayers that I will be able to learn this language without too much trouble.

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Happy Birthday Jessica !!!!!!!
I have one sibling, Matty—
And he and his wife Julie have one child, Jessica (born 19 March 1981).
Because I had no children of my own—and she is my ONLY niece—I think I may have spoiled her just a little—because she was so darn sweet and one of the cutest kids ever.

As a kid, she continually made me laugh (saving sesame seeds from a Big Mac bun so she could plant them at home and grow her own buns) and constantly amazed me with her problem solving skills (even though some of her solutions may not have been the best idea—she learned that, yes, even though a pork chop fits nicely into a toaster slot one should not use a toaster to reheat a pork chop).

She has matured into a remarkable young lady—and I am so proud—so incredibly proud of my niece Jessica.

Cozumel

Breezy and mild with big, bright, beautiful, blue skies.

Island fun with stunning beaches (especially the Caribbean side), plenty of shopping, and GREAT food (of course Mexican is my favourite cuisine) .

At about one-third the cost of Cabo.

Cozumel for me ANY DAY.

My friend Lisa and I en route.
The sunsets were simply spectacular.

Does it look like I am picking up a toy boat?

One last picture as we flew away.

URKELNOMICS

It’s been awhile…

I went on vacation to beautiful Cozumel…and left my cares (and my computer) behind.

Returned to Doha…fighting jet lag…and had to take my mid-term exams…

However I just had to share this: Urkelnomics